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Search for Successfully Implemented Alternatives

You can use the free text search function to find information in the case story database. Most suitable are: substance name and other substance identifier (EC- and CAS-number). You can refine your search after first entry for sector-, function- and process-categories. The case studies are meant to serve as source of inspiration and ideas for substitution. The alternatives are constantly being developed further. We therefore recommend that you to check in each individual case whether an alternative is suitable for your applications and purposes. If you are aware of any other relevant information that is not mentioned in the current case story, please contact SUBSPORTplus.

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Alternatives to 2-methoxyethanol as put forward by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)

This document concerns the general toxicity of 2-methoxyethanol and some common alternatives to its use in different applications. The most common substitutes for 2-methoxyethanol are: PGME, EGBE, ethylene glycol monopropyl ether (EGPE) and their acetates (PGMEA, EGBEA, EGPEA). The decision which alternative to use depends on what application 2-methoxyethanol is currently used in.

Substitution of allergenic preservatives: methylisothiazolinone and methylchloroisothiazolinone

A Ph.D. thesis showed that methylisothiazolinone could be remarkably reduced if it was combined with phenoxyethanol in conservation of cosmetic cream.

Substitution of concentrated sodium hydroxide with sodium hydrogen carbonate for pH adjustment in pharmaceutical production.

Neutralisation of a product during a pharmaceutical production was earlier done by applying sodium hydroxide. Sodium hydroxide was substituted with the less hazardous alternative sodium hydrogen carbonate.

Neutralization of alkaline waste water with high ammonia content.

Waste water with a high content of ammonia was previously neutralised with strong acids such as hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid. These strong acids were replaced by carbon dioxide (CO2).

Aqueous solution combined with ultrafiltration as an alternative to 4-methylpentan-2-one (MIBK) in purification of penicillin.

4-methylpentan-2-one (MIBK) was used for purification of penicillin in a pharmaceutical production. As an alternative the company used a method, where penicillin becomes water soluble through pH adjustment and then the purification can be made by ultra filtration. In this way MIBK was totally phased out.

Dimethyl sulfoxide as alternative solvent

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is an efficient polar aprotic solvent in numerous applications. It may be used as an alternative to N methylpyrrolidone (1-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone), dimethylformamide or methylene chloride (dichloromethane) and other solvents in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, fine chemicals, electronics and cleaning.

No chlorine in private households

Suggestions from the Danish EPA to avoid the use of chlorine in private households

Life cycle assessment of three paints

An assessment of environmental and occupational health impacts of a powdered paint, a solvent based paint and a water-based paint showed that xylene, titanium dioxide and TGIC are first priority to substitute. Beta hydroxy alkylamide is suggested as an alternative for TGIC . No successful chemical alternative for xylene was found, but other water based paint systems could be used. No alternative to titanium dioxide was suggested.

Enzymes in pharmaceutical productions can be used for degeneration of meat and for cleaning after greasy productions as an alternative for sodium hydroxide.

Enzymes can be used for cleaning after greasy productions. Lipase and alcalase can replace sodium hydroxide solutions for cleaning. The enzymes are gentler to the production equipment compared to sodium hydroxide, a strong base.

Butan-1-ol for chemical purification of pharmaceutical product was replaced by 1-methoxypropan-2-ol

Butan-1-ol was used for chemical purification of pharmaceutical products. It has several harmful properties regarding human health and it smells very bad. It was replaced by 1-methoxypropan-2-ol.

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